A Summer Fling (Aris x Reader AU)

43) The Trade

The what it's aren't what's haunting me anymore. Because there are no more what if's. It's all when. When will the explosion happen? When will everything spill out? When will I really, really need to have gotten into a school nowhere near them?

Store first. I'll focus on the road, then I can focus on the store, then there might be time to go over my life choices. Or I could focus on her instead. Is it ethical to use the love of my life as a distraction? As long as it gives her attention, I don't think she'll mind.

"I don't like the hats on you,"she remarked from the passenger seat.

"The ones protecting me?"I pointed out, quickly glancing at her. I'm not going to lie. I don't think they even somewhat suit me either, but sunscreen is on the list for a reason.

"Yeah. They make it harder to see your face. And you kind of look like you'd put me in a situationship,"she felt the need to go into detail about.

"Aren't those just talking stages?"

"No. A situationship is either an excuse to have someone without being loyal or casual sex and halfhearted, cliche dates."

"I thought you liked the cliche date?"I questioned, trying to ignore the way my face burned at another mention of that. She's saying it in a matter-of-fact way, but that doesn't make the thought any less prevalent. Especially since half this summer has been tormenting me by teasing.

"That's different. You put your entire heart into that. And I meant like cheap bars or a home movie. Something that feels more like something you do together instead of a date."

"Lack of effort basically?"

"Yeah. I like forcing you to watch childish cartoons and exist beside me, but that's more of spending time together. I think making you sneak out with me was more of a date than whatever situationships have going on."

"I thought that was an excuse to see me shirtless?"

"Can't it be both?"

I should have known she would say something like that. At least I know she's taking pleasure in watching me blush. She's been more than vocal about that.

"I have to park."

"So?"she asked simply, placing her hand over mine.

"So I need both hands."

"I'm so unloved,"she sighed, staring out the window like I betrayed her.

"Do you have to do that bit every time I turn a wheel?"

"So you don't love me and my feelings are a joke. I see how it is."

"Y/N-"
"No, no. It's fine that you hate me,"she insisted as I put the car in park. When I tried to make up needing to stop the car, she waved me off. At this point, I'm not even sure it's dramatics.

"There's no hate for you, Bonnie,"I repeated, placing a hand on her cheek, making her face me. Her gaze was soft when she met mine, a small smile crossing her lips as she slowly looked between my eyes before turning to my mouth.

Leaning in, I brushed my lips against hers. Placing a hand on my chest and the other around my shoulder, she tucked her knees under her as she sat up, deepening the kiss in a way that made it clear secret or not, she couldn't care less who saw. I was just as guilty as I put my hand on her chin, titling her as close as possible. Just as I wrapped my arm around her waist, melting into her, she teasingly pulled away, her temple pressed against mine.

"Who've you been kissing, cowboy?"she grinned, swiping her finger against my lips now covered with lipstick.

"Could ask the same about you,"I pointed out, wiping the smudged pink from the corner of her mouth.